Anna's Hummingbird
Lots more action on our final full day on Vancouver Island included pit-stops at many beautiful (and a few absurd) places along the east coast of the island. Birding however was pretty much confined to a couple of hours in the evening at the comically (but bell-ringingly) named Buttertubs Marsh*, a (sub)urban reserve with a good mix of habitats fringing a freshwater wetland.
Violet-green Swallows, at nest hole and with mouthful of damselflies
Marsh Wren and American Mink
Spotted Towhee
Northern Flicker (red-shafted ssp.)
Bewick's Wren
Wood Ducks
Rufous Hummingbird
Pied-billed Grebe on the nest
and from the ferry crossing the following morning - way, way out in the sound, several high-flying Rufous Hummingbirds migrating back onto mainland North America
(*the interpretation board reminded me that 'Buttertubs' is a Yorkshire expression, from when farmers used potholes to keep butter cool en route to market.)
Thanks again to the wonderful Dave and Susan for a great few days on the island.
